Americans Spending Less Time Outdoors, In Parks

Fewer Americans are visiting parks and and participating in outdoor activities, according to a new study.

1 minute read

February 7, 2008, 5:00 AM PST

"Biologist Oliver Pergams says those crowds can hide an important trend: Every year, a smaller percentage of Americans are fishing, camping or engaging in other nature-based activities."

"Since the late 1980s, the percentage of Americans taking part in such activities has declined at slightly more than 1 percent a year. The total effect, Pergams says, is that participation is down 18 percent to 25 percent from peak levels."

"One in 10 Americans has gone hunting every year for the past several decades. And the overall number of backpackers, while relatively minuscule, has actually risen slightly."

"But those are the exceptions, Pergams says. Participation in almost all other activities, like fishing and visiting parks, has headed sharply downward since the early 1990s."

FULL STORY: Americans Spending Less Time in Nature

Wednesday, February 6, 2008 in NPR

Environment Social / Demographics United States

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.